A healthy set of teeth is definitely an indicator of a healthy lifestyle. Not only does it mean that you eat well but also that you follow a good exercise regime and consume healthy liquids. There are many people who are of the opinion that lemon juice is very helpful to get rid of the stains on your teeth. This misconception is probably because of the fact that lemon is a natural bleaching agent. However, drinking lemon juice is not all that advantageous for your teeth. This can put you at a possible risk for tooth erosion.
Tooth erosion is a condition where the protective layer of the enamel wears off due to continuous and prolonged exposure to citric acid present in the lemon juice that you drink. Too much concentrated citric acid irritates the gum and also weakens the enamel. The coating of enamel is pretty thin and can be compromised with the acidic nature of lemon juice. If this keeps occurring for a long time, then the acid will eventually destroy the enamel and expose the layer beneath it, dentin. You would probably be surprised to know that this is the exact reason for tooth decay as well- acids corroding the teeth and allowing bacteria into the soft tissue of the teeth. Eventually, tooth decay will lead to tooth loss as well.
In fact, any acidic food or sugary drink can lead to enamel erosion and hence, it is essential for you to keep track for how much acid and sugar you are consuming daily. Some of the other food items that can cause a possible damage are orange and grapefruit juices, tomatoes, white wine, tea, soda, and coffee. These products are also strong enough to erode the strongest element in our body, enamel. Enamel consists of organic materials, minerals and water. There are also other beverages like colas and other caffeine- containing drinks that contribute to the corrosion of the enamel coating on your teeth. In fact, the sugar present in these drinks contributes to lowering the overall pH level in the mouth by the increased production of acids by bacteria in the mouth after feeding off residual sugar in the mouth. The best way to enjoy your lemon juice and not erode your enamel is to have all your juice in one go and not space it out through the day. You should also rinse your mouth thoroughly after you drink this juice as this will get rid of any of the residual juice present in your mouth.